State Authorization
State authorization, part of the Higher Education Act, requires institutions to be authorized in the state in which they are located as a condition for eligibility to receive Title IV federal student aid. The U.S. Department of Education continues to review and update the regulations for state authorization of online education. The current regulations are in effect as of July 1, 2021. If an institution offers postsecondary distance education to students in a state in which it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to state jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any state requirements for it to legally offer distance education in that state.
Cypress College Student Internal Complaint Process
Pursuant to the U.S. Department of Education’s Program Integrity Rule, every institution of higher education is required to provide all prospective and current students with the contact information for the state agency or agencies that handle complaints against postsecondary education institutions offering distance learning within that state.
Students are encouraged to utilize the Cypress College internal complaint procedures prior to filing a complaint with a state agency. If you are a student wishing to file a complaint in your home state, please select the state contact from the State Authorization Guide to file a complaint directly in your state.
Finally, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges serve as resources for colleges seeking to comply with state laws in California.